"That's
distinctly
one for you," said the Nilghai.
Kipling - Poems
I must do my own
work and live my own life in my own way, because I'm responsible for
both. Only don't think I frivol about it, Torp. I have my own matches and
sulphur, and I'll make my own hell, thanks. "
There was an uncomfortable pause. Then Torpenhow said blandly, "What did
the Governor of North Carolina say to the Governor of South Carolina? "
"Excellent notion. It is a long time between drinks. There are the
makings of a very fine prig in you, Dick," said the Nilghai.
"I've liberated my mind, estimable Binkie, with the feathers in his
mouth. " Dick picked up the still indignant one and shook him tenderly.
"You're tied up in a sack and made to run about blind, Binkie-wee,
without any reason, and it has hurt your little feelings. Never mind.
Sic volo, sic jubeo, stet pro ratione voluntas, and don't sneeze in my
eye because I talk Latin. Good night. "
He went out of the room.
"That's distinctly one for you," said the Nilghai. "I told you it was
hopeless to meddle with him. He's not pleased. "
"He'd swear at me if he weren't. I can't make it out. He has the
go-fever upon him and he won't go. I only hope that he mayn't have to go
some day when he doesn't want to," said Torpenhow.
* * * * *
In his own room Dick was settling a question with himself--and the
question was whether all the world, and all that was therein, and a
burning desire to exploit both, was worth one threepenny piece thrown
into the Thames.
"It came of seeing the sea, and I'm a cur to think about it," he
decided. "After all, the honeymoon will be that tour--with reservations;
only. . . only I didn't realise that the sea was so strong. I didn't
feel it so much when I was with Maisie. These damnable songs did it.
He's beginning again.
work and live my own life in my own way, because I'm responsible for
both. Only don't think I frivol about it, Torp. I have my own matches and
sulphur, and I'll make my own hell, thanks. "
There was an uncomfortable pause. Then Torpenhow said blandly, "What did
the Governor of North Carolina say to the Governor of South Carolina? "
"Excellent notion. It is a long time between drinks. There are the
makings of a very fine prig in you, Dick," said the Nilghai.
"I've liberated my mind, estimable Binkie, with the feathers in his
mouth. " Dick picked up the still indignant one and shook him tenderly.
"You're tied up in a sack and made to run about blind, Binkie-wee,
without any reason, and it has hurt your little feelings. Never mind.
Sic volo, sic jubeo, stet pro ratione voluntas, and don't sneeze in my
eye because I talk Latin. Good night. "
He went out of the room.
"That's distinctly one for you," said the Nilghai. "I told you it was
hopeless to meddle with him. He's not pleased. "
"He'd swear at me if he weren't. I can't make it out. He has the
go-fever upon him and he won't go. I only hope that he mayn't have to go
some day when he doesn't want to," said Torpenhow.
* * * * *
In his own room Dick was settling a question with himself--and the
question was whether all the world, and all that was therein, and a
burning desire to exploit both, was worth one threepenny piece thrown
into the Thames.
"It came of seeing the sea, and I'm a cur to think about it," he
decided. "After all, the honeymoon will be that tour--with reservations;
only. . . only I didn't realise that the sea was so strong. I didn't
feel it so much when I was with Maisie. These damnable songs did it.
He's beginning again.
